GOP, Tea Party Diss Obama B-Day Bash

Obama is "in love with sound of his own voice," said Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus

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Updated: This story has been revised to include comments from the owner of Green Mill.

President Barack Obama's will celebrate his 50th birthday with a giant bash in Chicago, Wednesday. But the presidential milestone won't be universally celebrated.

Obama Party About Presidential Perpetuity

(Published Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011)

A block away from the Aragon Ballroom -- where Jennifer Hudson, Herbie Hancock and OK Go are scheduled to fete the president -- the Chicago Tea Party is setting up shop at the Green Mill Jazz Club for a "Jobs Bash."

But Green Mill disputes this and the owner says he knew nothing about it.

Obama's Chicago Fundraiser

"I've never had any contact with anyone about this," Jemilo said. "Green Mill is open to all customers."

Jemilo said Green Mill doesn't discriminate against anyone.

"I've gotten emails from scores of people who say they won't come to the Green Mill, but we don't have anything to do with it," Jemilo said.

Nearby, at the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Broadway Street, scores of immigrant families plan to gather to protest Obama's "record deportations." The group estimates about 100 protesters will gather with signs reading "Obama, Don't Deport My Mama" and "Obama 2010: Most Deportations in US History."

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus lumped on during a conference call with reporters Wednesday morning. The Wisconsin Republican the only thing Obama is good at is fundraising.

"Right now our economy is in the ditch," Priebus said, juxtaposing the pricey party against a national dilemma. He added the President is "in love with sound of his own voice."

Illinois GOP chairman Pat Brady echoed those thoughts Tuesday.

"We're nearing a double-dip recession," Brady said. "We've lost 125,000 jobs here in Illinois just since he took office."

Mitt Romney tweeted a campaign video painting a dreary picture of Chicago's economy and the message, "@BarackObama celebrates his 50th bday & collects $35,800 checks but IL is struggling due to his failed policies."

About 1,000 tickets were made available to the general public, and tickets range from $50 for the concert to nearly $36,000 per person for a private dinner with the President. Money raised at the fundraiser benefits Obama's re-election campaign and the Democratic Committee Fund.

Obama is expected to depart O'Hare Airport at about 10 p.m. He previously was speculated to spend the night in his Hyde Park home. HIs actual birthday is Aug. 4.